New here! Hey everybody!

[Boeseph]

Hey everybody! I've been addicted to mantids for the past few months and I've finally decided to look into getting some! The ghost mantis is my favorite and I'm going to try to raise some communally. I set up a nice terrarium with live plants and such for them to live in when they are big enough. I've been in contact with Peter (bugsincyberspace) and I'm just waiting for his next set of nymphs to hatch. So excited!

Per request, here's a picture of the terrarium. I'm going to be adding a few things before the mantids move in, so I'll add pictures as it develops.



2/22/17 Update:  Check out my post in enclosures for more info on the terrarium!

 

[Sarah K]

Welcome! they are easy to get addicted too, so watch out.

 

[Boeseph]

Don't worry @Sarah K, I'm fully prepared to become addicted

 

[proserpina]

Welcome! Of the 3 species I've kept Ghosts are easily my favorite. Best of luck with your mantis community!

 

[Boeseph]

Thanks @proserpina!

 

[Dandy]

I'd love to see the terrariums if you can post some images.  Welcome to the forums, and to the hobby!

 

[Boeseph]

Hi @Dandy! I'd be glad to post pictures as soon as I get home from work today

 

[crabbypatty]

Welcome! You'll love ghosts, they're so awesome. I became addicted, I have thirteen mantids and have four more on the way, haha. 

 

[Teamonger]

Welcome! Soon you too will have your own bug zoo I'm sure hehe. It snowballs fast!

 

[Boeseph]

Thanks @crabbypatty, I think ghosts are awesome.

Haha yeah @Teamonger, probably.

 

[Boeseph]

I'd love to see the terrariums if you can post some images.  Welcome to the forums, and to the hobby!

@Dandy Pictures are up! Topic is updated.

 

[Jessie]

I just got mine today dont think he likes me much tho.

 

[Boeseph]

Aww @Jessie, I'm sure he'll warm up to you!

 

[Jessie]

I mean is that normal for them to do at first keep climbing to the top of the cage?

 

[Boeseph]

@Jessie I'm not a mantis professional or anything, but that doesn't seem uncommon from what I've read or watched

 

[Zeppy44]

Boeseph     What size is that habitat and how many ghosts to start?     Lol  welcome to the forum.

Jessie     All sounds normal so far with your mantis.

 

[Boeseph]

@Zeppy44 It's a 12x12x18 (LxWxH) terrarium with a few inches of substrate. The plan is to house 4 ghosts

 

[Zeppy44]

Sounds great size for latter instars but I think you will need smaller quarters, at least to start off.

My very young ghosts would not move much for food. They seem to move and hunt further as they get larger but still not much.

 

[Boeseph]

@Zeppy44 Yeah, my plan is to move them to the terrarium at L4 or L5 and hand feed them for a while